1.23.12 "The Glory of God"

"The Glory of God"

Genesis 46:1-47:31
Matthew 15:1-28
Psalm 19:1-14
Proverbs 4:14-19

"The heavens are telling the glory of God; they are a marvelous display of his craftsmanship. Day and night they keep on telling about God. Without a sound or word, silent in the skies, their message reaches out to all the world. The sun lives in the heavens where God placed it and moves out across the skies as radiant as a bridegroom going to his wedding, or as joyous as an athlete looking forward to a race! The sun crosses the heavens from end to end, and nothing can hide from its heat." (Ps. 19:1-6)

"The heavens are telling the glory of God..." That's a phrase I've heard all my life. I had never really thought about it. One day I was looking out the dining room window watching some birds going about their business. I was thinking of this scripture, and looking at the trees and the sky & I was wondering, how does this bring glory to God? I mean i think it's beautiful, but I don't see any birds with their eyes closed in prayer, and for that matter, they don't even pray before they eat!!!

The Lord spoke to my heart at that moment and said, "They bring me glory by doing what they are created to do."

That really pierced my heart. I began to think about whether or not I bring glory to him. To often I think that there's moments i bring glory to him by praying, or singing a song. That's good stuff, but that's not the essence of it all.

I bring glory to God by doing what I'm created to do. My worship shouldn't be a couple of songs & a prayer here & there. It needs to be a Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship - a life of obedience to his voice, consistent in prayerful communion with him and thankfulness. I need to make sure I'm committed to Relationships Devoted to Unity by intentionally engaging in healthy relationships with others. I must be Empowered through Biblical Training by studying his word and committing myself to discipleship. I need to be faithful to use all my resources in Active Ministry Involvement. I need to live with the Mission to Reach our World for Christ as my purpose for being.

To bring glory to God, I must Live the DREAM. That's what I'm created to do.

This example is a couple years old, but it illustrates the point so well. We had friends over a while back, and they brought their dog/horse. He's a huge goldendoodle named Buddy. (golden retriever/poodle) He looks like Fozzie Bear. This dog lives with the belief that he is created to chase a ball. That's all he wants to do. We were playing a board game and he would stand next to the table and stare at you for a solid half an hour waiting for you to throw the ball. When there was no ball to be found (because of the ingestion of a previous ball, which is a whole other story...), the dog would wander around as someone looking for purpose in life.

How many people do we see walking around looking for purpose? Why not share the DREAM with them? Let them know why they were created. Let them know what God can do in their life. Let them know they can bring glory to God.

"Get the ball, Buddy!"


Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

Pastor Greg Lathe

Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ